Wisdom Tooth Extraction

Wisdom teeth, also known as your third molars, are the last set of teeth to erupt in the mouth and frequently cause discomfort as well as ongoing oral health issues if they are allowed to remain. The vast majority of patients require one or more wisdom tooth extraction procedures at some point in their life because they are experiencing one or more of the following symptoms:

insufficient room in their mouth to properly accommodate these large teeth
gum pain and swelling of gums
jaw or bone pain
wisdom tooth pain
undesirable shifting of otherwise healthy teeth
decay or cavity in erupted wisdom teeth or adjacent teeth (due to inability to clean effectively)

Wisdom teeth are classified into three main categories – fully erupted, partially erupted and un-erupted. Fully erupted wisdom teeth are defined as having the complete crown portion of the tooth exposed in the mouth and through the gum tissue. Partially erupted wisdom teeth have a portion of the tooth that is through the jaw bone and into the gum tissue. Un-erupted wisdom teeth are fully contained in the jaw bone.

The presence (not everyone has 4 wisdom teeth) and position of your wisdom teeth is something that the skilled team at Kennerly Dental Group regularly checks for in our teen and adult patients who have not yet had their wisdom teeth extracted. From there, our expert dentists commonly refer patients to one of our trusted oral surgery partners for extraction. Not only do oral surgeons have the ability to sedate patients using general anesthesia, but they also utilize state of the art 3D Cone Beam X-Ray technology to identify any areas of concern or potential issues before surgery.

Knowing exactly where your wisdom teeth are located below the surface helps to ensure that the risk of nerve damage, frequently associated with lower wisdom teeth removal, is minimized. Bottom and top wisdom teeth removal can be done as part of one larger procedure or can be divided into two smaller procedures, depending on your individual preference and your current state of oral health.

Wisdom tooth removal costs can vary greatly based on a patient’s specific situation, but like with almost all dental procedures, waiting until the problem has compounded into something more severe almost always makes things more expensive and complex. That’s why we keep a close watch on the progression of our patients’ wisdom teeth and encourage extraction, if needed, before there are significant problems. Unsure about your current wisdom tooth status? Contact us today to schedule your appointment and we’ll walk you through our recommendations to help you maintain your healthy smile, (314) 842-5177.